Prior to knowing about Thomas this AM, had wondered what happened to Colvin.. not sure he is the answer, we let him go and did not even make the Texan's roster... suspect that his injuries have caught up with him.. not sure the alternative, but as always this team adapts..

He will be missed. Among his many skills, the pass rush has been weak and AD was our best with 5 sacks. Vrabel in particular seems to have lost a step. But pass rushers are a rare commodity so they will have to figure out another way.

Prior to knowing about Thomas this AM, had wondered what happened to Colvin.. not sure he is the answer, we let him go and did not even make the Texan's roster... suspect that his injuries have caught up with him.. not sure the alternative, but as always this team adapts..

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I think the Pats have proven that they can integrate certain players much better than other teams. i.e. Lamont Jordan and Randy Moss cast off from the Raiders.

IMO Colvin getting released by the Texans is a sure sign that he is ready to be a pro-bowler as a Patriot.

If Seau was looking for an opportunity to come back, he's got it. He's in the rotation at OLB with Vrabel and Woods, and could provide some pressure off the edge. Seau is stronger vs. the run than Colvin.

The problem with switching to a 4-3 is it doesn't really fix the problem. We are weak now at OLB and unless you want to switch Bruschi, Mayo or Guyton out there, playing one less LB doesn't accomplish anything.

That's what I'm thinking as well. Colvin's career is likely over due to injuries, while Seau isn't going to do much at OLB. Redd and Woods will be options, but you need a rotation. Hobson has played OLB in a similar system before.

The problem with switching to a 4-3 is it doesn't really fix the problem. We are weak now at OLB and unless you want to switch Bruschi, Mayo or Guyton out there, playing one less LB doesn't accomplish anything.

Looks like the new Woods will be Redd unless Colvin is ready to go.

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Bruschi seems more credible to me as an admittedly slow 4-3 OLB than as a 3-4 OLB.

I think you called it. Redd has won some practise awards. The thought of Lynch as an OLB that Mark mentioned crossed my mind but assuming Lynch can and now wants to play, at best Lynch would be too situational, too few plays. Speed it OLB is the issue; not sure the old coot has any left. UDFA Redd is Da Man.

I don't think that's out on a limb at all. They might use more of it; It's just that they never want to project a game plan, and the 3-4 allows them the most flexibility.

Didn't they start the Buffalo game in a 4-3 alignment, bringing Thomas down in a DE position? hard to tell.

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They played a lot in the 3-4, but would sometimes have someone drop down like a DL to disguise what they were going to do. Let's not get carried away with the 3-4 and 4-3 talk.....please remember that their are the same number of OLB in both packages!